Dragonborn Rising Ch. 24

Chapter 24 -- Ragnar the Reborn

*****

I have no idea where the prison was where they kept me. I remained alone in my cell. It was rather dark, unsure when it was daylight or not. I was given three meals a day, though to call them meals wasn't exactly correct, being either bread and water, or some sort of gruel and water. Otherwise, I could only pass the time by pacing the small cell, sitting down and leaning against the wall, or attempting to sleep.

I was expecting to be tortured eventually. The Emperor would want to know who was behind the contract. But apart from the lone guard who brought my meals, I had no contact with anyone else for what felt like day and weeks. It felt like that, but it might have been only a matter of days. I had no idea when it was day or night, so didn't know when day passed into night, or vice versa.

Despite the solitude of my cell, I could hear plenty of noise from within the prison. I assumed others were being beaten or tortured, as I heard the occasional scream and plenty of whimpering. Yet I remained left alone. It actually started to drive me a little bit nuts, the constant isolation, except for the tri-daily visit of the guard to deliver a meal and take the bucket I used for other matters.

I'm not sure how long I remained alone in the cell but the door finally opened, a trio of heavily armed guards walking in. "Up!" one of them ordered.

Despite the boredom and isolation, I'd kept my body sharp. I wasn't in real fighting condition, but if I wanted to, I could have at least given it a go. But looking at their armour and the fact the three carried weapons, I wasn't going to sacrifice my life for no reason. Rising to my feet, two of them grabbed me, manacled and chained together my wrists and ankles, before I was escorted out of my cell for the first time since my arrival.

Led towards another room, I was sat on a chair in front of a large desk. Sat to the other side was who I assumed was the warden or commander of the prison. There were sheets of paper in front of him. I assumed that listed the charges or perhaps the orders he had been given regarding my incarceration.

"No-one knows your real name, so we'll just call you Listener," he stated, "Quite the list of charges here. Murder and treason are the stand outs. You are aware there will be no trial?"

"I know."

"I have been given the authority to ask you once, and only the once, for your co-operation. Give us the name of the person or people who asked for you to kill the Emperor, and you may find your time here more comfortable at least, though the chances of your actual release are minimal at best. Don't help us... Well, I'm sure you can imagine what will happen."

"Do what you must. You should realise I will not give up the contact."

"You won't be asked again, Listener. Is that your final response?"

"It is."

"Very well. You will be returned to your cell. Tomorrow morning, you will be taken and transported to the place of your execution. Don't worry, one thing you won't be doing is dying alone."

"You found the others?"

"No, we don't know where the rest of your so-called Brotherhood is, if there are even any survivors. No, you will be dying alongside someone else who wishes to see the end of the Empire too." I raised my eyebrows as my question was answered. "Yes, we have captured Ulfric Stormcloak. Tomorrow will be a good day for the Empire. The death of the man who attempted to assassinate the Emperor, and the death of the man who wishes to see the Empire itself on his knees. I know you won't confirm, but we can guess that it wasn't Ulfric who ordered the death of the Emperor."

"That I can confirm. Never met the man myself."

"Well, you will die beside him. You will be given a final meal tonight. Tomorrow morning, you'll be loaded into a cart and transported to Helgen. It has been chosen as the place where the Stormcloak rebellion ends and the threat to the Emperor himself is put to rest."

If they were expecting me to plead for my life, perhaps break down and cry, or even fight them off, they didn't know me well. I accepted my fate. Hauled to my feet, I was led back to my cell, wrists and ankles unchained, and left alone in the cell. That evening, plates of food were delivered, and it was a fine last meal. I was given some meat, potato and vegetables, with bread and ale. It was the best food I'd eaten in days or weeks, so made sure I savoured every bite.

I was woken by the clanking of keys the next morning. Ordered to my feet, I was surprised not to find my ankles bound, though my wrists were, though only by rope. Led down a corridor, with further cells to my left and right, I was led up a couple of flights of steps and out into the fresh air, ensuring I took a deep breath. I had no idea where we were, but it looked like a fort, glancing around to see quite a few Imperial soldiers. The smell and damp in the air suggested we were in the south.

Pushed onto a cart, I found myself joined by three others. Two were dirty and bloodied, and considering the Imperial soldiers around us, I figured them for Stormcloaks, as both had the build of soldiers. The third man I couldn't pick, so figured he was a common criminal. The man opposite nodded in my direction but didn't say anything.

The first hour or so took place in silence and we were led past the remains of the Sanctuary near Falkreath. The man across noticed my glance linger longer than probably expected, so it was no surprise when he asked, "You know what was there?"

"Aye, I did. I do. Someone is buried there."

"A lover?"

"One of them. She's buried there, and it was the last Sanctuary."

"Sanctuary? Sanctuary for what?"

I met his eyes. "Sure you want to know the truth?"

"I assume we're all here as we will soon be in Sovngarde. I don't think there's a point in holding onto secrets anymore."

"What's your name?"

"Ralof."

"Call me the Listener. I was the last one of the Dark Brotherhood."

"Listener? Dark Brotherhood? Last... You were an assassin?"

"I was. Now I'm the last of my kind. The others are dead, and as for the Night Mother, I can only assume the body was burned." I wasn't saying it for the benefit of Ralof. I knew the soldiers around us would be listening in. No doubt that's why I hadn't been told to shut up just yet. "As for my crimes, I killed Vittoria Vici, the Emperor's cousin, which led to his arrival in Skyrim. I killed the son of Commander Maro, implicating him in a plot to kill the Emperor. I killed Commander Maro as he was responsible for the death of Astrid, leader of the Brotherhood in Skyrim, and my lover. And I was finally caught just as I was about to kill the Emperor himself. Bastard knew I was coming."

"No wonder you're in this cart with us."

"I can only assume you're Stormcloaks."

"Aye. Beside you sits Ulfric Stormcloak himself."

I glanced to my right, wondering why his mouth was currently covered by a cloth. As for the man himself, he was what I expected. He'd be tall, broad, slightly greying blonde hair, and when his eyes met mine, I could see why men and women followed him. They expressed everything and nothing at once. "Well, if the Empire caught him, then we're definitely going to our deaths." Glancing at the man next to Ralof, I asked, "What are you here for?"

"I'm a horse thief."

I couldn't help chuckle. "Seems the Empire will put you to death for anything nowadays."

"You seriously tried to assassinate the Emperor?" Ralof asked in disbelief.

"Twice. The first time I poisoned his meal, but the man who died was a decoy. I managed to escape the first time, not without a couple of injuries. I had no such chance second time around. Why he didn't just have me killed straight away, I'm not sure."

"How long have you been held?" Shrugging, I admitted I had no idea. "Well, I guess it doesn't matter." Glancing to his right, he added, "I think they're taking us to Helgen."

"Why Helgen?"

"Who knows? It means nothing to the Stormcloaks."

The cart descended into silence, listening to the thief silently pray to himself as we approached the city gates. They were opened as we approached, and I noticed Imperial soldiers and Thalmor. Ralof didn't hide his disgust. "Look at him, General Tullius the Military Governor. And it looks like the Thalmor are with him. Damn elves. I bet they had something to do with this."

"You mean with your capture?"

"Aye." He looked around, adding nothing else about what happened to them, and eventually took a deep breath. "I used to be sweet on a girl from here. Wonder if Vilod is still making that mead with juniper berries mixed in." He paused and chuckled, albeit bitterly, "Funny, when I was a boy, Imperial walls and towers used to make me feel so safe."

"I grew up in Cyrodiil."

"How long have you been here for?"

"A couple of years at least. Had a few jobs before finding talent as an assassin. Was married, now widowed. To be honest, dying isn't that bad a thing."

"Dreams of Sovngarde?"

I shook my head. "Not a chance they'd accept me. No, I'll end up somewhere else."

"Have you ever fought as a warrior? Maybe a mercenary?"

I could hear a hopeful tone, perhaps thinking I had at least done something decent with my life before. "Aye, I fought with the Fighter's Guild before ending up here."

"There is honour in that, stranger. Perhaps the gods will find that acceptable."

"No matter what, I am not afraid of death."

I wasn't. Part of me hoped that death would be in an instant, and I would join Muiri wherever she was. But the larger part knew that my soul would be claimed by one of the Daedra. I figured it would probably be Nocturnal if anyone as I'd pretty much sold my soul to her to become a Nightingale. I didn't particularly want to be part of the Ebonmere, or the Shadows as Karliah had called it, but I could think of worse fates.

There were two carts, we were the lead one, the other trailing close behind. We pulled up in front of what might have been a temple, but there were rows of soldiers, but my eyes immediately went to the headsman, who stood still, one hand holding an enormous axe. So we were definitely being beheaded. That was a quick death, at least.

Ordered from the cart, we gathered in a bunch, no doubt all of us wary as we were all unarmed, surrounded by soldiers. I had no doubt they'd be quite happy to start swinging. Whether they knew who exactly most of us were, I'm not sure, but Ulfric certainly stood out, as we were the same height, taller than those around us.

The Imperial officer in charge, a woman, announced, "Step toward the block when we call your name. One at a time!"

Ralof muttered something about the Empire and their lists as Ulfric stepped forward as he was called first. "It has been an honour, Jarl Ulfric," he added as Ulfric stepped away.

"Ralof of Riverwood." He turned my way, dipped his head, returning the gesture to him, as he stepped away. The thief was called forward next, and the idiot tried to run. He made it perhaps twenty, thirty metres before he was shot by a trio of arrows.

"Idiot," I muttered, but he was going to die, one way or the other.

Then I was called forward. As he didn't know my name, he simply called me 'Listener'. "Will you tell me your name? Your real name?"

"No. It's not important anymore."

"Where you are from?"

"That's not particularly important either. I'm not sure what you'll do with the others, so just burn my body when you're done."

"Where would you like the ashes sent?"

"Honestly, I don't care. Dump them where it's easiest. Nearest lake, if you'd like."

"We can do that. You should join the others."

I could tell most of the prisoners were soldiers, as they were lined up behind Ulfric, standing at ease but proud, despite being dressed in rags and their hands bound in front of them. On the elevated area in front of us, where a row of soldiers waited, alongside the headsman, the man Ralof had pointed out as General Tullius stepped before us, his eyes only for Ulfric.

"Ulfric Stormcloak. Some here in Helgen call you a hero, but a hero doesn't use a power like the Voice to murder his king and usurp his throne." I think Ulfric had particular words for the general, but due to the gag, it was muffled. "You started this war, plunged Skyrim into chaos and now the Empire is going to put you down, and restore the peace."

I guess that was proof that the Empire didn't believe in trials, though if Ulfric was considered a traitor, from the little I knew, they were generally executed without one. Ulfric tried saying something else again, though my attention was taken by a loud noise that echoed from a nearby mountain. I know I wasn't the only one to hear it, as plenty of heads turned in the direction of it. One or two questions were raised, but Tullius ordered the last rites be performed.

A Priestess of Arkay stepped forward, but one of the Stormcloaks told her to shut up and get on with it. I'd seen plenty of people die before, many at my own hand, but as he was placed on his knees, waiting for the axe, I couldn't help but feel respect for this soldier as he faced death.

"As fearless in death as he was in life," Ralof stated solemnly. I could only imagine they were comrades in arms and friends.

Then I was called forward. A slight surprise, as I figured they would have wanted to get Ulfric done quickly, end it there and then, but I guess they knew who I was too, so their hatred for me probably matched their hatred for Ulfric. I strolled forward, enjoying the last minute or so of life I had left, taking a deep breath of fresh air, looking around at the trees in the distance, closing my eyes and feeling the slight wind on my bare shoulders, wondering if every condemned man did the same thing in their last moments.

Standing before the chopping block, I was gently put down on my knees before I rested my neck in place, looking up at the headsman. "Just make sure it's a clean strike, headsman. At least give me that."

I closed my eyes, not particularly wanting to watch the axe come down to take my head. Then I heard that same noise I'd heard echo down from the mountain, though it was far, far closer this time. Opening my eyes, I saw what could only be described a dragon land on the tower nearby. It then did... something, I'm not sure what exactly, but the headsman dropped his axe and collapsed to the ground. Whatever the dragon did sent me rolling away from the chopping block at the same time.

And then all hell let loose...

*****

Ralof and I ducked behind a rock ledge, hoping the dragon above didn't see us. I have no idea how many people had just died in Helgen. Far too many, and I was someone who dealt with death near every day. But there was something... wrong about what had just happened. What had made a dragon attack us then and there? Why now? Those were not the only questions as the dragon flew into the distance.

Following the dirt path ahead, Ralof mentioned that the village of Riverwood was only a short walk away. As we wandered along, he pointed out some landmarks in the area. I honestly can't remember if I'd ever ridden through Riverwood. I'm sure I had, as he mentioned it was part of Whiterun Hold, and I'd visited there often enough, but even Ralof admitted you could pass through Riverwood and barely notice it.

We came to a stop a set of standing stones. I'd seen one or two on my travels around Skyrim. There were three stones in total, which was unusual, as there was generally only one. "Warrior, mage or thief, depending on what you believe in."

"Any idea what they do?" I wondered.

"Some say those who pray at a stone will be given gifts from the gods themselves." He paused and met my eyes. "You say you were an assassin. Look at it this way. What's just happened at Helgen, the fact you were a condemned man and have escaped with your life, nearly everyone who was involved now lies dead. You can restart your life from this moment. Whatever you've done before may be forgiven depending on what you do next. What did you do before, apart from the Brotherhood?"

"I was a thief, and a bloody good one at that."

He looked me up and down. "You have the build of a warrior. Why not try the noble and honourable path with this new lease of life? Consider this a chance for the rebirth of your character?"

"You judge me better than I deserve, Ralof."

"I believe in second chances... I don't even know your name..."

I offered my hand. "My name is Ragnar. And I live in Riften."

He grasped my forearm and met my eyes again. "Well met, kinsman. So, which stone will you pray at?"

"I assume you prayed at the warrior stone?" He nodded. "Ragnar the Reborn has a good ring to it."

I knelt in front of the warrior stone, Ralof instructing me what to do. I'm not sure what happened, but the stone soon lit up and a beam of light ascended into the clouds. "The gods hear your prayers, Ragnar. You have their favour, it seems."

Getting to my feet, I didn't feel any different. I was dressed in leather armour, the sort I hadn't worn in years, not since my earliest days in the Fighter's Guild. I had an iron sword and shield, and a wooden bow. Any gear I had while trying to assassinate the Emperor had long since disappeared. I would have to return to Riften to get re-armed and armoured.

Resuming our walk, Ralof invited me to meet his sister, Gerdur. She was pleased to see her brother and was immediately interested in who I was. He just introduced me as Ragnar, someone he had escaped Helgen with. She was very helpful, offering her own place as somewhere we could rest our heads, as I was also introduced to her husband and a boy I believe was her son. We were both starving, and she happily stopped her work, escorting us to her house and started to put together a meal for us. Ralof insisted he could cook though she pretty much ordered him to sit down. I felt rather exhausted after our escape through Helgen, and suggested a good wash in the nearby river would be nice after a feed.

There was certainly something peaceful about Riverwood, though what I definitely appreciated was the feeling of freedom. I have no idea how long I lived in that cell. Certainly a month and more. I always knew there was a chance I'd eventually see the inside of a cell, and now that I had, I certainly had no desire to return. I won't say I would immediately turn over a new leaf, but my life as an assassin was certainly at an end. As for a thief, I'd visit the Flagon and let them know what had happened. What I did after that, I wasn't sure.

Gerdur had a couple of spare beds in the basement where Ralof and I could relax and sleep, providing us with plenty of ale and mead, figuring we could do with a few drinks. I asked Ralof about how he'd been captured and the war in general, as I was honest with him and admitted I knew little about it.

"Do you not want a free Skyrim, free from the control of the Empire and Thalmor influence, free to worship who we want?"

"You're talking about Talos?"

"Aye."

"He's not the god I revere most."

I could see the surprise on his face. "But... You're a Nord!"

"I know I am. But, for certain reasons, I worship another god."

I think he wanted to ask who, but then figured it was a private matter, so moved on. "The war is currently a stalemate. The Empire and Stormcloaks each control four Holds. Whiterun is still undecided. Ulfric is trying to tempt him with promises for after the war, but so far, Balgruuf won't commit, claiming complete neutrality." He met my eyes. "Would you ever choose a side?"

"I'm from Cyrodiil, Ralof, but I'm also a Nord. I will take the weak excuse by saying it's not my fight as I have split allegiance. I am a Nord, so Skyrim is my homeland, but until a couple of years ago, Cyrodiil and the heart of the Empire was my home."

The Stormcloaks I'd conversed with, and to be honest I hadn't spoken to many, were not particularly open-minded. But Ralof nodded, and stated he understood my reasoning. "We could do with someone such as yourself, if the way you fought through Helgen is any indication of your talents."